Pocket case especially for ladies&#39; compacts



June 20, 1939. M. KAPLAN ET AL 2,163,429

POCKET CASE, ESPECIALLY FOR LADIES COMPACTS Filed May 21, 1938 "HIHHIHIHHHIII- INVENTORS 0M ATTORNEY Patented June 20, 1939 POCKET CASE ESPECIALLY r'on mums COMPACTS Max Kaplan, New York, and George Rosenberg, New Rochelle, N. Y.

Application May 21, 1938, Serial No. 209,222

19 Claims. (Cl. 132-83) This invention relates to pocket cases, and more particularly such cases designed for use as a vanity or compact.

The primary object of the invention is to gen- 'erally improve pocket cases, especially vanity cases.

In an effort to avoid an excessively metallic or mechanical appearance, vanity cases have been made with fiexible non-metallic coverings,

such as fabric, leather, imitation leather, and the like. These coverings have even been carried around the edges of the bottom and cover portions of the case, thereby avoiding an exposed metal binding ring at the edge of the case.

However, the leather or like covering material has heretofore been stretched over a metallic plate or the like forming the real wall of the case, and this prevented any softness or yieldability of the covering material, making the same practically as hard and unyielding as though dealing with metal.

One primary object of our invention is to provide a covered case in which the edges as well as the top and bottom surfaces are covered, and in which the main covered surfaces are soft and yieldable and have the natural feel of the leather or other covering material being used. To this end, we form the frame or body of the case entirely of annular members, and the leather or 30 other covering material is secured and stretched taut by the annular members but is not directly backed up by any metallic plate or like member. Incidental advantages flowing from this construction are a definite saving in quantity of 3:, metal needed to construct the case, and an ease in drawing the annular members to shape. In accordance with a further feature and object of the invention, we employ channel-shaped members having inner and outer cylindrical walls connected by an annular wall, the annular connecting walls being arranged face to face when the case is closed. This provides a rigid framework for the case and presents a finished appearance to the eye when the case is opened. Moreover, it facilitates addition of hinge and lock members, as will be subsequently described.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a fiat pocket case or ladies compact made up of similar bottom and cover portions in which 60 the metal face walls and marginal edges of the bottom and cover portions are covered with flexible non-metallic coverings, such as fabric or leather, and in which other metal edge walls lying medially of the case are left exposed for con- 86 trasting appearince with the n n-l fl mc QOV- erings, whereby a very attractive ladies compact is produced.

In accordance with still another feature and object of .our invention, the bottom portion of the case is preferably provided with a sealing wall which projects upwardly and is received within the frame of the closure when the case is closed. This not only holds the bottom and cover portions in perfect-registration, but also makes the case sift-proof, as is especially desirable when using the same for loose powder. Further objects center about the hinge and lock of the case and are to provide an inexpensive sturdy attachment for the hinge and a dependable spring lock which is not critical in dimension and which will withstand rough usage.

The mirror in a vanity case is subject to breakage and this may require discarding the entire vanity case. The mirror is ordinarily mounted in place from the outside of the cover and would not be replaceable except by breaking open and destroying the cover. In accordance with the present invention, the cover is so designed as to readily receive replacement mirrors and we provide replacement mirrors which are bound by a metal edge of rounded cross-section and so related to the cover that a replacement mirror may be pushed in place from the inside of the cover, it being received with a resilient or snap engagement. Still another object resides in the provision of a special pocket on the vanity case for receiving a comb, this being an especially convenient accessory to have available. With this object in view, we take advantage of the flexible nature of the covering material and stitch an extra patch or pocket of the same material to one side of the case, the resulting pocket being so dimensioned as to snugly receive the comb.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and other objects which will hereinafter appear, our invention consists in the vanity case elements and their relation one to the other, as hereinafter are more particularly described in the specification and sought to be defined in the claims. The specification is accompanied by a drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a vanity case embodying features of our invention;

Fig. 2 is a section through the vanity case with the cover opened;

Fig. 3 is a detail of the cover shown in plan;

Fig. 4 is a detail of the lock shown in plan;

Fig. 5 is a partially sectioned side elevation showing the parts of the bottom portion of the casein disassembled relation;

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing. the parts of the cover portion of the case;

Fig. 7 is an inverted plan view of the spring lock;

Fig. 8 is an elevation of the lock element;

Fig. 9 is an explanatory of the hinge construction;

Fig. 10 is a partially sectioned side elevation of a modified vanity case provided with a comb and a replacement mirror;

Fig. 11 is aninverted plan view showing the comb pocket and comb;

Fig. 12 is a front elevation of the replacement mirror which may be used with the case of Fig. 2 and is used in Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a section taken in the plane of the line I3-l3 of Fig. 12; and

Fig. 14 is a section taken in the plane of the line l4l4 of Fig. 2 but to an enlarged scale.

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the case illustrated is a thin flat circular case designed for use as a vanity case or compact. It comprises a bottom portion B and a cover portion C hinged together at H and provided with a lock generally designated L. The bottom and cover portions comprise frame rings l2 and I 4 having peripheral flanges l6 and I8. They are covered with a flexible covering material 26 and 22, these being held in place by annular clamping rings 24 and 26, the clamping rings being disposed between the covering material and the frame rings. As will be clearly seen from inspection of Fig. 14, the edge of the covering material is turned inwardly about the edge of the clamping ring and the resulting covered edge is bent inwardly about the peripheral flange of the frame ring in order to secure the covering material in place. Generally similar remark is applicable to the cover portion C, the covered edge of clamping ring 26 being turned about the flange l6 of frame l4. The parts B and C may be held in registration and the case may be made sift-proof by using a sealing wall 28 which projects upwardly from within frame l2 and is adapted to be received within frame l4 when the case is closed. The annular nature of the clamping ring and frame ring, that is, the absence of a metal plate disposed immediately in back of and supporting the covering material, affords yieldability of the same and gives it a soft natural feel. The clamping rings provide face walls and marginal edges which are covered by the non-metallic covering material; and the frame rings provide metal edge walls which project from said face walls and which meet medially of the case and are there exposed for contrasting appearance with the covered top and bottom face walls.

The construction of the bottom portion may be described in greater detail with reference to Fig. 5 of the drawing. The frame ring I2 is a channel ring made up of an inner cylindrical wall 36, an outer cylindrical wall 32, and an annular connecting wall 34 (see Fig. 14). The

free edge of the outer wall 32 is turned outwardly to form the peripheral flange l6 previously referred to. The outer wall 32 is slotted at 36 to receive the plate portion 36 of hinge member 46. This slot ismade closely adjacent the annular connecting wall 34. when the hinge member is inserted through slot 36, it is readily soldered in place, some solder being dropped into the open channel, as is indicated at 42 in Fig. 9. The

hinge member is preferably shouldered at 44 and the slot 36 is made shorter than the hinge member, the shoulders 44 forming a positive stop limiting the insertion of the hinge member into the frame. The edge of the hinge member may be notched, as indicated at 46, thus increasing the strength of the soldered connection.

At a pointdiametrically opposite the hinge slot 36, the outer wall 32 is slotted at 46 to receive the fingerpiece or pusher 56 of the lock mechanism L. The lock is made up of a strip of spring metal 52 the end portions of which are bent, as shown at 54, so as to rest against the inner wall 36 of the frame. The shape of the spring is such that the middle portion normally moves toward the outside. The flngerpiece 56 is riveted to the spring at 56. The spring may thus be flexed from the outside toward the inside by pushing the flngerpiece 56. A detent hook 56 projects upwardly from spring 52, and in the present case is formed integrally therewith. It will be noted that the tip of the hook is bent downwardly toward the outside so that the hook is disengaged when pushed inwardly. Annular connecting wall 34 of frame I2 is slotted at 66 to receive neck 62 of detent hook 56. The head 58 of the hook is, however, preferably made wider than the neck 62 and slot 66. This insures against any possibility of forcing the hook downwardly into the frame. In the present case, the inner wall 36 of the frame is cut away at the look, as is indicated at 64 in Fig. '1. This facilitates insertion of the look into position and provides maximum possible range of movement for the detent hook.

Reverting to Fig. 5, the sealing wall 26 is wider than the walls of frame member l2. The lower edge of the sealing wall is turned outwardly, as is indicated at 66. The diameter of the sealing wall is made such that it is received with an accurate slip fit within the inner wall 36 of frame member I2. Flange 66 is made adequate in width to close the open side of the channel member.

The inside of the bottom portion B of the case is lined by means'of a disk of flexible lining material 16. This is preferably anon-porous material, such as imitation leather, and it is preferably colored white for sanitary reasons. The clamping ring 24 is made of metal and its outer edge is initially cylindrical, as is clearly shown in Fig. 5. It will be understood that this member is not a disk, but is merely an annular member, it being open at 12. The covering material is indicated at 26. The disk of covering material is larger in diameter than clamping ring 24 because the edge of the disk is initially folded and turned tightly about the edge of the clamping ring, whereupon this assembly is placed over lining disk [6 and the flanges l6 and 66. The laminated or covered edge of the clamping ring is then forced inwardly by an appropriate die, and the clamping ring 24 when turned inwardly retains its bent shape and thus holds the metal parts in assembled relation in addition to holding the covering material stretched in place.

The assembly of the cover portion of the case may be described with reference to Fig. 6. The construction is generally similar to that of the bottom portion except for two main differences; one is the absence of the sealing wall 26, this being needed on only one of the two parts of the case; the other difference centers about the mounting of a mirror 14 in the cover. Referring to Fig. 6, the frame member 14 comprises a 'to form the peripheral flange cylindrical inner wall 16 and a cylindrical outer wall I8 connected by an annular wall 80. The free edge of the outer wall I8 is turned outwardly I8 previously referred to. The inner wall I6 is narrower than the outer wall I8, thus providing space to receive the mirror I4 which rests within outer wall 18 and upon the edge of inner wall I6.

The outer wall 18 is slotted at 82 to receive a hinge member 84 which mates with that on the bottom portion. The hinge member is secured in placeby soldering, just'as was described in connection with Fig. 9. The annular wall 80 is slotted at 86 to receive the detent hook. This slot is best shown in Fig. 3.. It is, of course,

located in registration with the detent hook, and

when the cover is closed, the hook is moved inwardly and then springs outwardly over the portion 88 (Fig. 3) just outside slot 86.

The mirror I4 is a disk of glass appropriately coated on the back surface 90. In order to protectively pad the mirror while at the same time retaining the desired soft flexible feel of the leather covering, we insert layers 92 of soft filling material or padding, such as cotton. The clamping ring 26 may be exactly like the clamping ring 24 previously described, and the manner in which the leather or like covering material 22 has its edge turned about the clamping ring and is then assembled with the other parts of the cover will be understood from the previous description. The covered edge of the clamping ring is bent inwardly about the flange I8 of frame I4, thus holding all of the parts locked together in permanently assembled relation.

In the event of breakage of the mirror I4, it might seem necessary to discard the vanity case, for it is not practicable to attempt to open the outside of the cover once the clamping ring has been bent into clenched position. However, we have devised a replacement mirror which is best shown in Figs. 12 and 13. This mirror consists of a glass disk 94 smaller in diameter than mirror I4 and preferably bound at its edge by a metal ring 96. Mirror 94 may be and preferably is backed with one or multiple layers of white paper or cardboard 98, and these are bound to the mirror by the ring 96. Ring 96 has a rounded outer edge, as is clearly shown in the drawing. Referring now to Fig. 10, it will be seen that the diameter of ring 96 is such that it can be forced into position from the inside of the cover, yet is held in place byinner wall I6 of the cover frame. In other words, upon breakage ofmirror I4, it is merely necessary to remove the broken pieces and to thereupon push the replacement mirror 94 into place. The only difference in appearance of the case is then the framing of the mirror within a double rim of metal instead of a single rim of metal. the extra rim being the rim 96 forming a part of the replacement mirror. It may be mentioned that the flexible-nature of the case construction here employed facilitates the use of this replacement mirror because one side of the mirror may be forced rather deeply into the cover until the otherside is finally pressed home and is received in the frame with the desired resilient or snap engagement. The flexible yet taut nature of the cover insures that the mirror is held snugly against the frame, thus preventing shaking or looseness.

The vanity case shownin Fig. 10 also illustrates the provision of a miniature comb as an accessory. Specifically, referring to Figs. 10 and 11, the leather or like covering I on the bottom portion of the case has stitched thereto a patch I02 of the same material. This is secured in place by lines of stitching I04 spaced apart an amount selected to insure a snug fit for the comb I06. Patch I02 forms a pocket for comb I06, and in the present case the pocket is open at both ends so that the comb may be slid into or out of place from either side of the vanity case. It will be obvious that the ability to form a comb pocket by stitching the same in place is the result of using flexible covering material for the case, and the yieldable unsupported nature of the bottom of the case makes it an easy matter to insert or remove the comb, for the flexible material may yield on opposite sides of the comb.

It is not absolutely essential, however, to use exposed edges which are covered by the flexible covering material, and in Fig. 10, I illustrate a case in which the cover C has a metal-bound edge H0. The bottom B has a leather-bound edge II2, just as was described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2. In the case of the cover, however, the internal or concealed clamping ring is omitted and insteatl an ornamentally finished metallic ring I I0 is provided, this being slipped over a disk of covering material II4 which is smaller in diameter than those previously described, for it requires no folded or in-turned edge. Instead, the edge or flange I I6 of metal ring I I0 is turned inwardly about the flange of the channel ring of the cover, thus binding the parts together. Laminations of filling material I I8 are provided inside the covering material I I4, this being desirable in order to bend or shape up the covering material at the point I20 just inside the metal ring H0.

While not illustrated in the drawing, it will be understood that to complete the structureof Fig. 2 or Fig. 10 as a vanity case, it may be provided with a sifter and a powder puff. The sifter is conventional and comprises merely a disk of mesh fabric disposed within sealing and lining wall 28 and over the supply of powder in the case, such a sifter being commonly used with loose powder.- The powder puff is also circular, and both the sifter and powder puff are dimensioned to fit within lining-wall 28 of the vanity 1. A pocket case comprisinga frame ring having a peripheral flange, flexible covering material, and an annular clamping ring concealed between said covering material and frame ring, the edge of said covering material being turned inwardly about the edge of the clamping ring, and the resulting covered edge being bent inwardly about the aforesaid peripheral flange of the frame ring in order to secure the covering material in place with an exposed edge of covering material.

2. A case comprising bottom and cover portions hinged together at the edge and provided with a look at a point opposite the hinge, at least one of said portions comprising a frame ring having a peripheral flange, flexible covering material, and an annular clamping ring concealed between said covering material and frame ring, the edge of said covering material being turned inwardly about the edge of the clamping ring, and the resulting covered edge being bent inwardly about the aforesaid peripheral flange of the frame ring in order to secure the covering material in place, the annular nature of the clamping ring and frame ring affording a soft yieldability of the covering material over the surface of the case.

3. A case comprising bottom and cover portions hinged together at the edge and provided with a spring detent look at a point opposite the hinge, at least one of said portions comprising a sheet metal ring drawn to channel shape with the closed side of the channel facing the other portion, the outer channel wall being turned outwardly to form a peripheral flange, flexible covering material, and an annular clamping ring concealed between said covering material and channel ring, the edge of said covering material being turned inwardly about the edge of the clamping ring, and the resulting covered edge being bent inwardly about the aforesaid peripheral flange of the channel ring in order to secure the covering material in place.

4. A case comprising a channel-shaped ring of metal having spaced outer and inner cylindrical walls with an annular connecting wall, the free edge of the outer wall being turned outwardly to form a peripheral flange, the inner wall being narrower than the outer wall and receiving a circular plate, flexible covering material, an annular metal clamping ring disposed between said covering material and said channel ring, the edge of the covering material being turned inwardly about the edge of the clamping ring and the combined covered edge being turned inwardly and clamped against the peripheral flange of the channel ring, and layers of soft filling material disposed beneath said covering material, and forming a soft padding between the covering material and the plate.

5. A cover portion for a vanity case, said portion comprising a frame ring having a peripheral flange, a mirror in said ring, flexible covering material, an annular metal clamping ring concealed between said covering material and said frame ring; the edge of the covering material being turned inwardly about the edge of the clamping ring and the combined covered edge being turned inwardly and clamped against the peripheral flange of the frame ring, and layers of soft filling material disposed beneath said covering material, and forming a soft padding between the covering material and the back of the mirror.

6. A cover portion for a circular vanity case, said portion comprising a channel-shaped ring of metal having spaced outer and inner cylindrical walls with an annular connecting wall facing the bottom portion of the case, the free edge of the outer wall being turned outwardly to form a peripheral flange, the inner wall being narrower than the outer wall and supporting a circular mirror received within the outer wall,

flexible covering material for the top and periphery of said cover portion, an annular metal clamping ring disposed between said covering material and said channel ring, the edge of the covering material being turned inwardly about the edge of the clamping ring and the combined covered edge being turned inwardly and clamped against the peripheral flange of the channel ring, and layers of soft filling material disposed beneath said covering material, and forming a soft protective padding between the covering material and the back of the mirror. 6

7. A case comprising a channel ring having inner and outer cylindrical walls-connected by an annular wall, the free edge of the outer wall being turned outwardly to form a peripheral flange, a disk of flexible lining material underlying said channel ring, a larger disk of flexible covering material forming the outside and periphery of the case, and an annular clamping ring between said covering material and lining material, the edge of said covering material being bent around the edge of the clamping ring and the resulting covered edge being turned inwardly about the peripheral flange of the channel ring to lock the parts in assembled relation.

8. A bottom portion for a case, said bottom comprising a frame ring having a peripheral flange, a sealing ring including a cylindrical wall dimensioned to be received just inside the frame ring and an outwardly turned flange at the lower edge of the cylindrical wall, the cylindrical wall having a width greater than that of the frame ring whereby its upper edge constitutes a sealing wall adapted to flt within the cover portion of the case when the case is closed, a flexible covering material forming the outside and periphery of the bottom portion, and a clamping ring between said covering material and frame ring, the edge of said covering material being bent around the edge of the clamping ring and the resulting covered edge being turned inwardly about the peripheral flange of the channel ring to lock the parts in assembled relation.

9. A bottom. portion for a circular vanity case, said bottom comprising a channel ring having inner and outer cylindrical walls connected by an annular wall facing the cover of the vanity case, the free edge of the outer wall being'tumed outwardly to form a peripheral flange, a sealing ring including a cylindrical wall dimensioned to be received just inside the inner wall, and an outwardly turned flange at the lower edge of the cylindrical wall, the cylindrical wall having a width greater than that of the walls of the channel member whereby its upper edge constitutes a sealing well adapted to flt within the cover of the vanity case when the case is closed, a disk of flexible lining material underlying said channel ring, a larger disk of flexible covering material forming the outside and periphery of the bottom of the case, and an annular clamping ring between said covering material and lining material, the edge of said covering material being bent around the edge of the clamping ring and the resulting covered edge being turned inwardly about the peripheral flange of the channel ring to lock the parts in assembled relation.

10. A flat pocket case comprising hingedly related bottom and cover portions, each of said portions including an outside face wall and a metal edge wall, said face walls projecting outwardly beyond said edge walls to form exposed edges at the top and bottomof the case, the face walls including flexible covering material having its edges turned inwardly at the edges of the case so that the exposed projecting edges are covered by the covering material, but said metal edge walls being bare for contrasting appearance with the covered edges at the top and bottom of the case.

11. A flat pocket case comprising hingedly related bottom and cover portions, each of said portions including an outside face wall and a metal edge wall, said face walls projecting out- -wardly beyond said edge walls to form exposed edges at the top and bottom of the case, the face walls including flexible covering material having its edges turned inwardly at the edges of the case so that the exposed projecting edges are covered by the covering material, but said metal edge walls being bare for contrasting appearance with the covered edges at the top and bottom of the case, the in-turned edges of the covering material being clamped between metallic parts of the case, one of said metallic parts being housed within the in-turned edges of the covering material, and the other of said metallic parts being a part of the aforesaid edge walls.

12. A case comprising bottom and cover portions, at least one of said portions comprising a metal frame ring, flexible covering material, and a metal clamping ring concealed between said covering material and said frame ring, the edge of the flexible covering material being turned inwardly about the clamping ring, and the frame ring and clamping ring being secured together with the covering material clamped therebetween.

13. A case comprising bottom and cover portions hinged together and provided with a look, at least one of said portions comprising a metal frame ring having a peripheral flange, flexible covering material, and a metal clamping ring concealed between said covering material and said frame ring, the edge of the flexible covering material being turned inwardly about the clamping ring, and the frame ring and clamping ring being so formed that they are interlocked and thereby held together with the covering material clamped between the clamping ring and. the flange of the frame ring, in order to secure the covering material in place, the ring-like nature of the clamping ring and frame ring affording a soft yieldability of the covering material over the surface of the case.

14. A case comprising bottom and cover portions, at least one of said portions comprising a metal frame ring having a peripheral flange, flexible covering material, and a metal clamping ring concealed between said covering material and said frame ring, said clamping ring being reversely bent to channel shaped cross-section and the flexible covering material being bent around said clamping ring into the channel thereof, and the frame ring and clamping ring being so formed that they are interlocked and thereby held together with the covering material clamped between the clamping ring and the flange of the frame ring.

15. A case comprising similar bottom and cover portions, each of said portions comprising a metal frame ring, flexible covering material, and a metal clamping ring concealed between said covering material and said frame ring, the edge of the flexible covering material being turned inwardly about the clamping ring, and the frame ring and clamping ring being secured together with the covering material clamped therebetween,

16. A case comprising similar bottom and cover portions hinged together and provided with a lock, each of said portions comprising a metal frame ring having a peripheral flange, flexible covering material, and a metal clamping ring concealed between said covering material and said frame ring, the edge of the flexible covering material being turned inwardly about the clamping ring, and the frame ring and clamping ring being so formed that they are interlocked and thereby held together. with the covering material clamped between the clamping ring and the flange of the frame ring, in order to secure the covering material in place, the ring-like nature of the clamping ring and frame ring affording a soft yieldability of the covering material over the surface of the case.

17. A case comprising similar bottom and cover portions, each of said portions comprising a metal frame ring having a peripheral flange, flexible covering material, and a metal clamping ring concealed between said covering material and said frame ring, said clamping ring being reversely bent to channel shaped cross-section and the flexible covering material being bent around said clamping ring into the channel thereof, and the frame ring and clamping ring being so formed that they are interlocked and thereby held together with the covering material clamped between the clamping ring and the flange of the frame ring.

18. A fiat pocket case comprising hingedly related bottom and cover portions, each of said portions including an outside face wall and a metal edge wall, said edge wall projecting inwardly from said face wall, the edge walls of the said bottom and cover portions meeting in .the medial plane of the case, the face walls each including flexible covering materialhaving its marginal edges inturned so that the rginal edges of the face wall are covered by the covering material, but said medially meeting metal edge walls being bare for contrasting appearance with the covered edges at the top and bottom of the case.

19. A flat pocket case comprising hingedly related bottom and cover portions, each of said portions including an outside face wall and a metal edge wall, said edge wall projecting inwardly from said face wall, the edge walls of the said bottom and cover portions meeting in the medial plane of the case, the face walls each including flexible covering material having its marginal edges inturned so that the marginal edges of the face wall are covered by the covering material, but said medially meeting metal edge walls being bare for contrasting appearance with the covered edges at the top and bottom of the case, the inturned edges of the covering material being clamped between metallic parts of the case, one of said metallic parts being concealed by the inturned edges of the covering material, and the other of said metallic parts embodying as a part thereof the aforesaid edge walls.

MAX KAPLAN.

GEORGE ROSENBERG. 

